Children joining schools will get stipends: CM

LAHORE:
The government will provide financial assistance to children working at brick kilns, workshops, petrol pumps and restaurants if they are enrolled in schools, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.

He was presiding over a meeting to review educational reforms. The meeting discussed progress on implementation of education programmes, promotion of schools education, construction of additional rooms and improvement of enrollment. Approval was also given to enhance the amount of scholarship paid to girl students in south Punjab.

“Financial assistance will be provided through Khidmat cards to working children if they go to school. Education, not labour, is the destiny of our children. It is the responsibility of the government to equip every child with education and a comprehensive programme is being implemented for this purpose,” the chief minister said.

He said that all-out efforts were being made for enrolment of every child in school. “After brick-kilns, children working in workshops, petrol pumps and restaurants will be enrolled. A strategy is being devised for the admission of working children to schools,” he said.

Shahbaz Sharif said that maximum resources possible were being allocated for providing education to children.

“Quality education is a right of children. There is a need to equip the young generation with modern education. Working children will be enrolled and child labour will be eliminated at all costs,” the CM said.

The chief minister directed that immediate measures be taken for achieving enrollment target.

He said that all required resources would be made available for the admission of students, especially girls, to schools.

“It is the responsibility of the minister and the department concerned to achieve the targets set for improvement in education sector. Quality education is a guarantee for a brighter future. There will be no shortage of funds for imparting education to boys and girls. Billions of rupees is being spent on up-grade of schools and provision of missing facilities,” the CM said.

He directed that immediate steps be taken for capacity-building at Punjab Education Foundation. “The required funds will be made available for admission of girls to schools,” he said.